Chapter 8

Efraim felt a bit conflicted. He really liked Phyllis, but something was off. She was way too interested in his personal relationships at work. He had not seen her since the last time she spoke about this "organization" she wanted him to join. While he was frustrated at work, he had a duty to the Agency and could not jeopardize that.

Phyllis called one night shortly after he returned home.

"Hey," she said. "I've missed you. I hope I didn't scare you off."

"Hi," Efraim said tentatively. "I was a little taken off guard."

"I'm sorry," she replied. "I guess I'm just really zealous about what I'm a part of, it just means a lot to me."

"That's ok," he said. "Let's just drop it."

"Okay. Do you want to meet up for dinner? I'd really like to see you again."

Efraim thought about it. She did apologize and did say she was going to drop it. If so, dinner should be okay. He was hungry after all.

"Okay. Want to meet up at Rusty's around the corner from my place?"

"I have a better idea. Why don't I pick up some takeout and meet you at your place. A little more intimate, if you know what I mean." She teased.

Efraim was a little uncertain, but he did miss seeing her. Against his better judgment he agreed.

Thirty minutes later, Phyllis was at his door with some Chinese takeout. They ate dinner, laughed and watched some TV. While snuggling on the couch, they were kissing and later made their way to the bedroom. Efraim was over the moon when they made love over the next hour and Phyllis curled up next to him and fell asleep. He was relaxed and happy and drifted off himself.

Phyllis pretended to sleep, listening to Efraim's breathing to recognize when he'd fallen asleep. When his breathing became soft and rhythmic, she quietly got out of bed and tip toed into the living room where she located his brief case. Her first attempt to get him to unwillingly give them information hadn't worked. She scared him off and Addi was not pleased. However, she told him that Beamon may yet have something they could use. He had unwittingly told her he was supervising Lee Stetson's girlfriend, but they needed an identity. She found a stack of evaluation reports. Anthony Rodriguez, Kristen Adler, Todd Jacobsen - nothing. Then, she opened a file for Amanda King.

"King is sharp and takes initiative. However, her relationship with LEE STETSON has lead to issues with not following the chain of command…." A picture was attached to the file.

This was the woman! Addi would be pleased. They knew that capturing Lee Stetson would do them no good. He was too experienced an agent and would never willingly give up his sources no matter how much they tortured him. However, take his girlfriend, now they had something they could use.

First, they would plant a bomb to send a message to the Western World. Then, Part II, that was where the real action would take place. Lee "Scarecrow" Stetson was arguably one the best Agents in the business and heading up the team to take down Karbala. They could attempt to capture him, but why do that when you could lure him in. They needed someone he would trade information for, someone he would die for - and she just found it. She would be rewarded greatly for this prize.

She returned everything back in the briefcase and walked back toward the bedroom. She noticed Efraim stirring slightly so she went into the bathroom, flushed the toilet and then ran the sink. From there she got back into his bed as Efraim rolled over.

"Where did you go?" He saiid sleepily.

"Sorry, didn't mean to wake you. I had to use the bathroom." Phyllis leaned in and kissed him. "It's late, I need to get home."

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A few days later Kristen met up at the King household again for another tutoring session. Phillip was proud to show her he'd gotten a B on his last test. They went back to the table in the backyard to study again. They went over the latest chapter as Kristen helped him with some verb conjugation. Jamie looked a bit bored and Kristen noticed he also seemed distracted and sad.

She pulled out some flash cards again.

"Do you want to do the honors again?" She asked Jamie.

He smiled and took the cards. Once again they worked with Phillip.

As they were wrapping up, Jamie was looking sad again. Phillip went inside as Kristen turned to Jamie.

"Jamie, are you okay?" She asked.

"I'm ok." he answered. "I'm just having trouble at school too. My dad is so mad because my grades have fallen. It's not fair because my grades are still better than Phillip's. Except for Spanish now."

"Well, thank you for the compliment," Kristen said hoping to lighten the mood a bit. "But I know how hard it is to relate to parents. My dad and I don't really get along well either. I'm actually closer to my step dad than my actual biological father."

"Really?" Jamie looked interested. "I thought all step parents were jerks."

Kristen laughed. "Have you been talking to Cinderella again?"

Jamie laughed at the joke.

"No," he answered. "Just one of the kids at school hates his step dad."

"Well," Kristen explained. "Every situation is different. My step dad, Hank, has always been my greatest supporter. After I received responses from all the colleges where I applied, I chose UCLA. I had a tour there my junior year of high school, and it became my dream school. Hank never questioned it, but instead decorated his bar with blue and yellow streamers and told everyone his genius kid was going to UCLA. However, my dad told me I was making a mistake because I didn't pick Brown, one of the Ivy League schools where I was accepted. I was so angry and hurt."

"That's mean."

"Yeah, I thought so too. I ended up applying for every scholarship I could find so that he didn't have to pay a dime. I guess in the end it was helpful, but what he said made me feel like garbage."

"That's how I feel," Jamie said. "No matter how well I do, my dad is always pushing me to do more. He doesn't do that with Phillip. It gets me so mad."

"Yeah, I can understand that." Kristin replied. "My dad later told me he knew I had always been a high achiever so he thought he was helping by pushing me harder. I think my dad and I just communicate differently. Maybe it's the same with you and your dad."

"Maybe you're right," Jamie said thoughtfully. "It's also hard because my mom works so much."

"Yes," Kristen replied. "She does. But she is so good at her job. You would be really proud of her, and if it makes you feel any better, she brags about you all the time. It's evident how much she loves you and your brother."

Jamie smiled. Kristen really knew what it was like to have a dad that didn't understand. She seemed to have turned out okay and went to a good college, so maybe he really would be alright. Plus, what she said made sense. He knew his mom loved him and he felt a little guilty now for being such a jerk to her, and telling her he wasn't a baby anymore when she only trying to help. The truth was, he liked being babied like by his mom, he just didn't like Phillip teasing him about it. Then there was this Lee Stetson guy. He didn't know what to do about him.

"She has a new boyfriend, too." Jamie continued. "We met him the other night. I don't know if I like it. I feel like she'll spend even less time with us."

"I thought the same thing when my mom started dating Hank. But once I got to know him, I realized he was really cool and he liked hanging out as a family. Hank filled in the holes that my dad left open. I think I'm a better person because of the man my mom married."

Jamie thought about it. Lee was trying to be nice to him the other night, and he liked sports. Maybe he could give Lee another try. He turned to her.

"Thanks, Kristen. You're really cool and easy to talk to. I'll give Lee another chance. Maybe he won't be so bad."

Jamie ran back in the house. Kristen packed her materials. So they are dating. She thought to herself. Good for them.

After dinner that night, Kristen pulled Amanda aside away from the family.

"Hey," Kristen started. "I just want to tell you that Jamie said you're dating Lee Stetson." A worried looked rolled across Amanda's face. "Don't, worry," Kristen continued. "I know it can get complicated at work, so I promise I won't say a word. I just felt I should tell you."

"Thank you, Kristen," Amanda said, calming a bit. "We want to move forward with our relationship, but you're right, it is complicated at work. I appreciate your honesty."

"Well, to be completely honest," Kristen continued. "I don't know that you're necessarily fooling anyone. The way you look at each other could set off smoke alarms. I think a lot of people suspect there's something going on. Personally, I think it's awesome. You two make a great couple." Amanda smiled.

"Thank you. What else did you and Jamie talk about?"

"I don't want to say too much, as I'd like to keep his confidence. I'll just say he and his dad are just having a hard time communicating. But I think he'll be ok. He's an amazing kid. Both of your sons are incredible. You're a great mom."

Amanda looked visibly touched. "Thank you, Kristen. That means at to hear you say that."

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The next morning, Amanda met up with Lee in the Q Bureau before meeting with the A-TAK team. Today was the final strategy meeting to discuss the Dulles Airport operation.

"Good morning" Amanda greeted Lee as she walked in.

"Hey there," Lee smiled as he got up to greet her, giving her a kiss.

"Speaking of kisses," Amanda told him, "Kristen was over yesterday tutoring Phillip and she talked to Jamie for a bit. He spilled the beans about us dating."

Lee, similar to Amanda's expression to evening before, looked a bit worried.

"However," Amanda continued, "she said she'll keep it quiet, but also said that we're not fooling anyone. I guess those who see us regularly already suspect we're 'together'" she concluded with air quotes.

"So much for being careful," Lee said. "I've never been in this situation before where I've been in love with a co-worker."

"Maybe once we get past this Karbala assignment, we can discuss how we want to go forward at work."

"Yeah," Lee said with a twinkle in his eyes, "My poker face is not working so well with you." He laughed.